Outing -1-
After erasing every last bit of graffiti from the wall, I gazed at the pristine surface with a satisfied expression.
"Perfect."
No traces remained. Today was the day for an outing with the lady. It wasn't something that happened every day. The lady, who usually recoiled at the thought of leaving the house, was finally stepping outside for once.
Forest Friend, one of the empire's top five restaurants. It was the eatery that had turned sleepy Hamel—lacking any standout attractions—into a tourist spot. Today, the lady and I were headed there, where the juicy steaks paired perfectly with fresh vegetables.
I had some news to share with her today. The joyful announcement I'd been mulling over when to deliver: I'd finally paid off all our debts. I wondered how thrilled she'd be when I told her she no longer had to sleep wrapped in newspaper.
Her reaction had me curious.
She'll love it.
Before heading back to the mansion, I gave the wall one final check for any stray writing. It was a rare outing, after all—I wanted her to see only the good parts.
"Looks clean."
I'd thought that scrubbing away the scrawls like "Exile the wicked villainess from the village" or "Home of the villainess" would let her leave with a lighter heart. The lady had a tender soul; seeing those words might hurt her.
She grumbled and cursed plenty, sure, but she also freaked out at cockroaches, bawled during nightmares, and whined to sleep together. Protecting her fragile heart was part of a butler's duties.
"Forest Song?"
"Yeah."
"You sure you didn't hear wrong?"
"You did hear wrong, didn't you?"
"She'll throw a fit. She's got a huge appetite and pouts like crazy."
The lady was greedy for food and quick to sulk. In my eyes, she seemed more innocent than most girls her age.
"Ricardo! When are you coming!"
Her booming voice echoed from the mansion's second floor. She was clearly hyped for the meat, sounding just like a kid begging to go to an amusement park. If I said no, she'd probably burst into tears.
Does she love meat that much?
I thought we ate it plenty, but apparently, it still wasn't enough for her.
Now that the debts were cleared, I could feed her meat five days a week, no problem. We were the new breed of debt-free folks. Time to remodel the mansion, fix the leaky ceiling, hire cleaners—the foundations of lavish noble life for fallen aristocrats. Meat was no longer a terrifying splurge.
Though I'd have to compromise on the cuts. First things first, ditch the cheap green tea. I resolved to hit a teahouse in the bustling district.
"Ricardo!"
"Coming!"
Better hurry, or she'd start crying.
"You're late."
The lady, perched on the bed, shot me a glare.
"Why'd you take so long!"
"There was trash outside."
"Still, you're way too late!"
She was itching to go but annoyed at me for dawdling. Arms crossed, she huffed, her pouty lips begging to be tugged.
She fixed me with the villainess's signature glare.
"Argh."
I countered her guilt-tripping mental assault by pinching her cheeks.
"Don't pull!"
So soft. Like mochi rice cake. Pull one way, it stretched.
"I said don't pull!"
"Whoa..."
"It's ripping! Hngh...! It'll rip!"
"So squishy!"
Pull the other way, it stretched the other way.
"Hooeeek!"
I savored the cheeks' delightful texture for a good while until her tiny fist clenched with a menacing "uiishi," landing a cat punch. Only then did I let go.
Still fuming, she swung again, eyes blazing with irritation and murderous intent. I dodged lightly, pulled two slips from my inner pocket, and slapped them on her forehead with a flourish.
She froze like a jiangshi, sniffing the paper to calm down.
"Sniff sniff."
"It's real."
"Hngg... Really?"
"That's why I told you to get ready."
"Hnggggg... I'm so happy."
Her mood flipped like a pro.
The lady had dressed properly for once. Her beloved pajamas were finally in the laundry hamper, replaced by a black dress fit for a ball. Sitting demurely on the bed, she looked stunning.
"Perfume?"
"Yeah. Wanna smell?"
She tossed her hair, exposing her neck. My face burned at the casual reveal of her pale skin.
Damn.
Too bold for this Confucian boy to handle. I turned away.
Driving me crazy.
It had been ages since she looked like a goddess of beauty, and my heart raced.
"Lady..."
"Yeah?"
Hmm...
"You planning to go out like that?"
"Why?"
"Well..."
I grabbed the mirror from the vanity and held it up to her face. She tilted her head, puzzled, finding nothing amiss.
"What? Too pretty?"
No. It's just... She'd done her makeup like something out of a Japanese period drama. Heavy eyeliner. Caked lipstick. Overdone blush.
Excited for her first outing in forever, she'd slathered it on like a kid raiding mom's cosmetics.
I wiped her face with a makeup pad. She squirmed and spat "pthoo pthoo," protesting.
To preserve noble dignity, I erased the mess.
"You're too pretty. Scared you'd get attacked out there like that."
"Oh? Did I overdo it?"
"Yeah, it's dangerously excessive in every sense."
"Really?"
She grinned at the compliment on her looks.
"Heehee. Make me pretty."
Her dopey smile was impossible to hate.
I was no stranger to fixing her makeup from all those balls where she'd grab ladies' hair buns and I'd touch her up after the makeup smeared.
I refined it naturally—not too fierce, not too soft. In her favorite style. Then held up the mirror.
"Oh...!"
She puffed her cheeks, glancing between the mirror and me.
Satisfied, she flashed a thumbs-up with glowing approval.
"Pretty."
"Only because it's your natural beauty, lady."
"Hiet..."
Subtle makeup, a hint of red tint. She smiled shyly.
Prep done. I crouched with my back to the bed.
"Ready? One... two... three...!"
"Hyat."
She hopped on piggyback style, like always. It felt like yesterday she was too embarrassed for this, but now entrusting her body to me felt warm. Like we'd reached a point where we could lean on each other.
Made me happy.
Ungh.
I teased while hoisting her.
"Whoa, heavy."
"Liar."
"For real. You sneaking chocolate behind my back?"
"...Am I that heavy?"
I'd meant to joke, but I'd uncovered a secret I wished I hadn't.
To change the subject, she scrambled for new bait.
"Nice weather outside?"
"Chocolate ban for a week."
"...Sorry."
I tied a strap around my waist, and we headed out.
All eyes on us. Carrying a full-grown adult through town was bound to draw stares.
"Mommy, why's that big sis on his back?"
"Must be uncomfortable somewhere."
"Where?"
"Even mommy doesn't know."
The blatant gawking embarrassed the lady; she clung tighter to my neck.
"Guh! Lady... air... air!"
"Shh..."
She was mortified. Her condition shamed her, and every whisper sounded like mockery.
The farther from the mansion, the quieter she got. Even under her deep-brimmed hat, she flinched and stared at the ground.
"Up we go."
"Heavy?"
She whispered in my ear, voice dark with tension.
"Nah, so light I barely notice."
"Liar."
"No, really."
She felt lighter than my usual sword. Maybe the rare outing with her had me energized, but today I brimmed with strength.
I wanted to make good memories, but at this rate, she'd only remember counting bricks on the ground.
Scrapping the teahouse, I rerouted straight to the restaurant.
To ease the awkwardness en route, I tried old stories. Not sure if she'd bite, but I hoped it'd loosen her up.
"Remember at the academy when your shoelace snapped? I carried you back to the dorm."
"...Yeah."
"You were heavy then."
Thwack.
Cat punch incoming.
"Ow."
"Meant to hurt."
"Puhaha... Where's a lovable butler supposed to get hit?"
"Plenty of spots."
She buried her face in my back. The stares wouldn't quit, weighing on her, but she was grateful for my teasing too.
"Not a turtle, but why hide in your shell?"
"Just wanna be a turtle."
"Puhaha..."
The bashful lady peeked out from her "shell"—my broad back—as we hit the bustling streets. Curious about the world but shy of the eyes. Tension easing, she lifted her head, scanning slowly.
"Oh..."
The familiar bustle felt novel after so long. New buildings where none stood before. Old ones gone. Cherished spots unchanged.
Olivia gradually relaxed.
Back in academy days, she'd sneak down for snacks, splurge at the dress shop saying "from here to there." Bittersweet, nostalgic memories flooded back.
"Look at that."
"Cotton candy?"
"We used to get it there all the time."
"Yeah. Been forever."
Gathering courage, Olivia piped up.
"Cotton candy after dinner?"
"Sure."
Our destination loomed at the bustling center. The restaurant teemed even late. I reminded her to hold the meal vouchers tight.
"Show 'em to the staff."
"Mhm."
Malik had said:
"These are special—flash 'em and skip the line. Pricey, so don't be dumb and wait."
"Oh...!"
We wove through the throng into the packed place.
"Excuse us."
"Sorry."
"Pardon."
"Sorry."
Parting the massive crowd, the lady and I pressed on. Spotting the counter far off, I called out.
"Over here! Wave, lady!"
"Uh... uh!"
"Boss~"
"He... here!"
Suddenly, someone grabbed us. I halted, turning.
A familiar face stood behind.
"Ha. What the hell."
Voice dripping disgust and loathing.
"What're you doing here?"
A man with greenish hair glowered at us.
Ruin.